10 Cool Netflix Documentaries That Explore Outer Space (2024)

The human mind is ever-so-curious and outer space is one of the things that captivates and inspires us most. Not only has its mysteries led humanity to make countless discoveries, but space has also acted as a source material for movies and shows. While Netflix has a library ripe with fictional tales of space exploration and alien encounters, the streaming giant also boasts a remarkably cool collection of documentaries and docuseries that dive into the realities of space.

From jaw-dropping ventures of astronauts into space to the possibilities of alien life, these 10 documentaries about space on Netflix offer a unique and thought-provoking glimpse into the vastness that lies beyond our own world. These documentaries educate and enchant you equally and leave you with a sense of hope about the future.

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10 ‘Apollo 13: Survival’ (2024)

Directed by Peter Middleton, Apollo 13: Survival is the latest space documentary film on Netflix that revisits the year 1970, when the world held its breath as the crew of Apollo 13 faced a life-or-death situation after a catastrophic explosion left them stranded in the void of space. The film details the efforts of the three astronauts and the ground crew to overcome the crisis.

A Genuine Depiction of Events

Apollo 13: Survival uses never-seen-before original footage, dramatic reconstructions, as well as interviews to take viewers back in time when the engineers, scientists, and mission controllers worked hand in glove to make sure the astronauts returned to Earth safely. The documentary pays meticulous attention to detail and captures the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty of the people involved in a compelling way.

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9 ‘Alien Worlds’ (2020)

The universe is vast, and we’re probably not alone. Alien Worlds is a four-part British sci-fi documentary series that uses scientific facts, speculative fiction, and jaw-dropping CGI techniques to imagine what alien life might look like on exoplanets. Each episode explores a different planet, like Atlas or Terra, and applies Earth’s biological data to create a unique picture of alien life and civilizations.

Imagining the Possibilities of Alien Life

Utterly breathtaking to watch, Alien Worlds pulls viewers in with its creative approach towards educating people about science, latest technological advancements, and space. It makes you think of the kind of life that exists in worlds beyond our own through stunning visuals and unimaginable life forms. According to critics, the aliens were amazing but “it's the Earth-bound science that ends up being the most interesting part.”

8 ‘Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know’ (2021)

Black Holes have been the strangest of all phenomena in space for as long as we can remember, and they’ve driven scientists to the very edge of the unknown. Directed by Peter Galison, Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know is a beautiful documentary about the groundbreaking efforts of scientists to capture the first-ever image of a black hole. It follows the work of the Event Horizon Telescope team and Stephen Hawking as they put their discoveries and observations to use.

Unlocking the Greatest Mystery of the Universe

In layman’s terms, a black hole is a region in space that’s so dense in gravity that no light can enter or get out, which is why they’re practically invisible. This documentary offers a unique combination of science, philosophy, and human effort required to peer into the heart of this cosmic mystery and raise questions about the nature of space, time, and the very fabric of reality. If you’re an outer space enthusiast, Black Holes: The Edge Of All We Know.

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7 ‘Challenger: The Final Flight’ (2020)

Perhaps one of the best space documentaries on Netflix, Challenger: The Final Flight is a four-part series that explores the fateful launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986, which fascinated the world only to end in tragedy. The series dives into the events leading up to the launch, what factors triggered the disaster, how it claimed the lives of seven astronauts, and the aftermath of the explosion.

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A Poignant Tribute to Courage

Praised for its thorough investigation of real-life events and for its emotional tone, this comprehensive documentary series revisits one of the darkest moments in the history of space exploration. It includes first-hand accounts, interviews, and personal stories of the crew members and their families, the NASA community and how profoundly it was impacted after the accident.

6 ‘Return to Space’ (2022)

A new era of space exploration has arrived and with Return to Space, the Oscar-winning director duo Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, take viewers on a thrilling journey as SpaceX and NASA collaborate to send astronauts back to the International Space Station. Chronicling the two-decades-long mission, we follow the intense training, the inner workings, the nail-biting launch, and the successful return of astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.

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About American Space Ambitions

The Crew Dragon Demo-2 was the first time a crewed mission was launched from the U.S. soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle, which made the effort more significant in restoring American dominance in space. The documentary not only showcased the gripping, behind-the-scenes look at what it took to achieve such a remarkable feat but also Elon Musk’s vision of the future, where humanity resides on multiple planets.

5 ‘A Trip To Infinity’ (2022)

The concept of infinity is one that has had millions of people rack their brains understanding. A Trip to Infinity takes a deep dive into the same mind-bending concept with the help of interviews with leading mathematicians, decorated physicists, and genius philosophers. It explores how infinity influences our perception of the universe and affects the world around us.

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A Journey Into the Cosmos

Directed by Jonathan Halperin and Drew Takahashi, A Trip to Infinity is one of the coolest science and space documentaries because it takes an innovative approach towards explaining absurd concepts of science and philosophy, of what exists beyond the normal realm of possibility. Featuring insights from renowned thinkers like Brian Greene, Stephon Alexander, and Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, it fully embraces the concept of infinity and the wonders of space.

4 ‘The Future Of’ (2022)

One cannot even come close to describing just how far technology has come in the past couple of decades. These emerging innovations and visionary ideas are directly and indirectly shaping the future of space exploration. A documentary series that captures it all and more through interviews with scientists and industry experts, The Future Of is all about predicting concepts like vertical cities, genetic upgrades, and public space travel.

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Imagining the World of Tomorrow

Each episode of The Future Of rifles through different areas of technology, from healthcare to architecture, but it is Episode 5, titled “Space Vacations,” that is a truly fascinating watch because it explores how scientists are striving to make space travel less time-consuming and more accessible to the public. The series’ cinematic flair and speculative ideas instill a renewed sense of excitement among audiences.​​​​​​​

3 ‘The Mars Generation’ (2017)

The human species has long had its sights on the Red Planet, with scientists and experts looking forward to the day when humanity can live on Mars. Under careful direction from Michael Barnett, The Mars Generation follows a group of aspiring teenage astronauts and their daily struggles at the Space Camp in Alabama, where they train for a future mission to Mars. Through the eyes of these young enthusiasts, we understand the feasibility of colonizing Mars.

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Shapes the Human Destiny

The Mars Generation not only offers a hopeful glimpse into the future of space travel but also captures the passion and determination of young minds as they dream of exploring the unknown. Their personal stories, boundless enthusiasm, and intellectual genius are remarkable. The documentary is both elaborate and realistic, and it ultimately serves as an encouragement to the next generation of space pioneers.​​​​​​​

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2 ‘Top Secret UFO Projects Declassified’ (2022)

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Top Secret UFO Projects Declassified is exactly what its title suggests: a documentary series that pulls back the curtain on some of the most intriguing and controversial encounters with extraterrestrial life. Even though claims of UFO sightings and the mysteries of the cosmos are dismissed, this series reveals various declassified projects, archives, and evidence to understand the universe and its strange ways.

Unveils Hidden Truths About UFOs

Featuring interviews with leading experts, UFO researchers, military historians, and whistleblowers, the series examines the possibility that we’re not alone in the universe. Episodes like “Project Blue Book Unknown” and “The White House Cover-Up” look into the mysterious government cover-ups, while others provide research about leaked clips of UFO sightings. Overall, it’s an amazing watch for curious minds.

1 ‘Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space’ (2021)

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Directed by Jason Hehir and created by Netflix in collaboration with Time Studios, Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space documents the first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth. It offers a real-time glimpse into the SpaceX project led by Jared Isaacman, beginning from the recruitment and training of four ordinary individuals as they prepare to make history, the actual launch, as well as their everyday life in space.

The Pioneer of Civilian Space Travel

The Inspiration4 mission was a historic moment and this five-part docuseries provides intimate access to exclusive footage and the interviews of the people involved. There were scientific and emotional challenges and risks faced by the scientists and the crew members, and because the episodes were released in real-time, it effectively showcased the personal growth and self-discovery of four extraordinary individuals achieving incredible feats.

10 Cool Netflix Documentaries That Explore Outer Space (2024)
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